Design firm Forward Thinking Architecture has put together plans for floating farms which would combat the increasing global problems of food shortages, lack of land, and a rapidly growing population.

The challenge here is to create an environment for growing food where land is not available to do so.

Architects say the project is aimed at regions where food supplies are uncertain and the population is growing – such as the Middle East.

A subsidiary of JAPA, Barcelona-based Forward Thinking Architecture proposes that the farms would also respond to the food needs of nearby cities.

The concept consists of linked water-born structures equipped with rotating racks full of lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, spinach and other crops that can be grown year-round.

Architect and company CEO Javier Ponce said: “The floating farms project was inspired by Singapore’s fishing farms, but it can be also applied in other areas with arid land and lack of space.”

A loop design would help to maximise the amount of sunlight available and creates a stylish aesthetic for the farms which are designed to set up near urban waterfronts, where people often congregate during their leisure hours.

The project also calls for supply to reflect the demands of the population of the nearby urban area as neighbourhoods would “order” what they need via computer to each floating farm. Using hydroponic systems, these floating farms also help to conserve water – as most vertical growing systems do – although being outside does increase the likelihood of evaporation.